The annual community Help Kids Succeed school supply drive is under way for students in need. This year, the drive will provide 1,300 backpacks filled with supplies to students in the Thompson School District. This is an all-out community effort that involves donations from individuals, organizations, churches and businesses. A $15 donation can supply one backpack filled with about $40 of supplies for one student.

To make a secure online donation — just put HKS in the Comments box. Or mail to

Thompson Education Foundation c/o Thompson School District, 800 S. Taft Ave., Loveland, CO 80537. Supply donations may also be dropped off at the district administration offices at 800 S. Taft Ave. in the large yellow barrel in the lobby. There is also a collection barrel in Berthoud at the First Presbyterian Church, 531 North 8th Street.

The Help Kids Succeed Committee includes the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, Loveland Reporter Herald, United Way, Rocky Mountain Cheer & Dance, Salvation Army, the Sertoma Club, Thompson Education Foundation and Thompson School District and individual community members.